Teacher’s Credit Union donation encourages reading at elementary school

SCHOLASTICS

Teacher’s Credit Union donation encourages reading at elementary school

A$1,000 grant from Teacher’s Credit Union (TCU) promises to turn even more students at New Buffalo Elementary School into dedicated readers.

At the New Buffalo Area Schools Board of Education’s Monday, Nov. 14, meeting, New Buffalo Elementary School Principal Adam Bowen said that, for the past two years, the school has teamed up with TCU, which has helped the school with its reading program, Achieve 3000.

This year, four bikes – two for the lower elementary students and two for the upper ones (one boy and one girl) - will be purchased. Bowen said that, through the Achieve 3000 program, students can earn incentives, which is all based on their individual growth. Students who meet their growth periodically throughout the year get tickets, which will be put into a raffle at the end of the year. At an awards ceremony, four students will be randomly picked to receive a bike, helmet and maybe water bottles.

“Thanks to TCU, we’re able to do this with their donation and that’s what we’re planning on using the money with,” Bowen said.

The elementary school also received a letter from Berrien RESA regarding MiMTSS, or Michigan’s Multi-Tiered System of Supports, recognizing the school achieving the Silver Level for its work in implementing the PBIS (Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports) framework into its school.

New Buffalo Area Schools Interim Superintendent Dr. Michael Lindley said several county superintendents will be visiting the elementary school Tuesday to look at how the school is using data and how it’s collecting it and “looking at the elementary school for a model for data.”

Board members approved the employment of Madeline Selby in the position of Bison After School Enrichment (BASE) director.

Lindley said they’ve been advertising for new BASE employees since before school started and Bowen sent home a letter to parents, which elicited a response from five interested parents and one student. He said he’ll be coming to the board at the next meeting for recommendations.

The hiring of Pano Arvanitis in the position of eighth grade basketball coach for the 2022-2023 school year was approved.

Board members approved the employment of Joshua Hyman as advisor for Mock Trial extracurricular for 2022-2023 school year, pending background check.

The employment of Todd Tanksley and Darrick Fairchild to coach Robotics for 2022-2023 was approved.

Board members approved employing Mary Ludwig as the middle school cheer coach for 2022-2023, pending background check.

The employment of Amber Lowry as paraprofessional was approved.

The employment of Jocelyn Tuszynski as fall play director, pending background check, was approved.

The employment of Maxwell Folino as radio club substitute was approved.

Due to not having many applications for a social worker and two special education teachers, Lindley said that they’ll be advertising for the positions at 105 colleges through Handshake.

Board president Lisa Werner suggested doing a time share, adding that having two part-time people occupy a position may elicit more interest.

Linda Wash, wife of former BASE director Rodney Wash, who resigned from his position last month, said that the recommendation for the new BASE director that night “confirmed” her last statement that was made at the previous meeting that stated her husband “endured tormented, hostile work environment and retaliation and a complete violation of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.” “I do wish the BASE program good luck,” she said.

Lindley said that current board members as well as the newly elected ones were given a tentative outline for the superintendent search. The Jan. 9 meeting will include a presentation on the details in the outline.

BY FRANCESCA SAGALA

Adam Bowen, Tracy Saylor, TCU service center manager, and Melissa Lijewski, Title 1 teacher, accept TCU’s donation (Picture courtesy of Facebook)

SPORTS

From the Bleachers

COLUMN BY KURT MARGGRAF IN CHICAGO

AAs I remember, it started

when I was just a child.

We would get home from church, watch Flash Gordon on the television, and whenever the Bears were playing a road game, my Dad would come into the front room and tell me to turn on the Bears game. We watched the games together and bonded, while my Mom and Sisters and baby brother went about doing whatever they did.

Back in those days, the season was only 12 games long and home games were blacked out, so we had just 6 precious Sundays, and I loved every minute of sharing those games with my Dad. In 1956, the Bears got to the championship game and even though they lost to the Giants 47-7, at least I got to spend an extra Sunday with my Dad.

Then, in 1963 the schedule had increased to 14 games but the championship game was blacked out in Chicago and we had to listen to the game on the radio( the Bears beat the Giants 14-10 ). The game was played at Wrigley Field and the best seat in the house cost $12.50.

My college years were next, and I got in the habit of going to bars with my friends to watch the games through closed circuit television. That tradition continued even after graduation and lifelong friends were made.

Then, we started our own families, and the traditions continued Even though some have moved far away, we keep up with texts during the game and phone calls afterwards. The Bears, like the Cubs, aren’t a super successful franchise, but that makes their occasional winning seasons all the more fun.

All of this background has a point. Sunday, I watched some of the most entertaining football games I’ve ever seen. The Bears have a quarterback who may end up being great. For the last four weeks, Justin Fields has been phenomenal. Even though the Bears continue to find ways to lose this year (31-30 against the Lions), the future is bright.

After the Bears game, the network switched to the Minnesota Vikings versus the Buffalo Bills, and that game was unbelievable. Each team was sure they had pulled out a victory until finally, the Vikings pulled out an incredible 33-30 overtime victory. The next game pitted the Green Bay Packers against the Dallas Cowboys, and the Packers came from behind to beat the Cowboys 31-28 in overtime. Even though the three other teams in the Bears division all won,

I feel extremely confident that next year, and for years to come, the Bears will be ready to compete with anyone. As a matter of fact, they play each of their division rivals again this year and I won’t be surprised if they emerge victorious.

I almost always end my column with a quote, and this has been my favorite so far. Henry James said, “Three things in human life are important: the first is to be kind; the second is to be kind; and the third is to be kind.”

Be kind to one another. Make good choices. Keep smiling. Talk to you next week. Peace, love, and happiness.

Legion scholarship opportunities

The American Legion Department of Michigan has announced its oratorical contest for high school students. Contestants are eligible for scholarships ranging from $1000 to $2000, with an opportunity to advance to the national competition in Indianapolis, where additional scholarships of $20,000 to $25,000 will be awarded.

Contestants must register with the American Legion, Department of Michigan by Friday, November 18. Once registered, contestants will be notified of dates, times and locations of contests at the district and zone level.

To be eligible, contestants must be citizens or lawful permanent residents of the US, have permanent residency in Michigan, be enrolled in an accredited high school or home-school program in 9th, 10th, 11th or 12th grade and no older than 20 years of age.

All orations must be between 8 and 10 minutes in length and be on some aspect of the Constitution, with an emphasis on citizens’ duties and obligations to the government. At the contest, speakers will be asked to deliver a three to five minute speech on a topic selected by a contest official. The assigned topics are- Amendment VI, ensuring the accused a fair and speedy public trial; Amendment X, reserving powers not delegated to the United States to the States respectively, or to the people; Amendment XIV granting citizenship rights to all people born or naturalized in the United States; Amendment XVI, granting Congress the power to lay and collect taxes without apportionment among states and without regard to any census or enumeration.

Further details can be found at michiganlegion.org.

Additional scholarships are available for qualifying students who are a direct descendant (including step-child) of an honorably discharged veteran or an active duty service member, with a GPA of 2.5 or higher and financial need.

The William D. and Jewell Brewer scholarship awards $500 to high school seniors or college students for a nationally accredited college, university or trade school in Fall 2023. The Guy M Wilson scholarship awards $500 to high school seniors who plan to attend a Michigan accredited college, university or trade school in Fall 2023.

The Legion is also offering a Teacher of the Year award for K-12 teachers, which includes a $500 grant for an education project of the teacher’s choice.

Applications are available at school.

Understand: people judge you by appearances, the image you project through your actions, words, and style. If you do not take control of this process, then people will see and define you the way they want to, often to your detriment. — 50 cent